Writing implement holder

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a writing implement holder having a front plate provided with a holder yoke and a clip portion contiguous with and cooperably associated with the front plate, whereby the implement may be attached to a book. The holder yoke is advantageously tapered for proper clip reception and retention. The writing implement holder includes resilient means having separated resilient portions which cooperate with respective ones of writing implements inserted in the holder so as to frictionally retain the same in place in stored position. Independent operation of the individual resilient portions preclude insertion of additional implements from affecting retention of implements previously stored in the holder. Individual portions of the resilient means may comprise fingers, resilient pad portions, or equivalent means.

United States Patent I 72] Inventor Larrie D. White 136 E. 3rd South,Logan, Utah 84321 [2]] Appl. No. 872,986 [22] Filed Oct. 31,1969 [45]Patented Aug. 10, 1971 I 34 WRITING IMPLEMENT HOLDER 7 Claims, 11Drawing Figs.

52 us. CI 24/11CT [51] lnt.CI B43k 25/00 [50] Field ofSearch 24/3, 10,ll

[5 6] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I 989,213 4/1911 Wahl24/3 E 1,566,195 12/1925 Gandrau.... 24/3 E 2,366,457 1/1945 Pinkham24/10 R X 2,654,130 10/1953 Lundberg.. 24/10 R 2,697,258 12/1954 Uyal24/10 R 2,941,268 6 /1960 Morse 3,032,244 5/1962 Zeabari 3,104,4359/1963 Beuck Primary ExaminerDonald A. Griffin Attorney-M. Ralph Shaffer24/3 EX 24/10 R ABSTRACT: The present invention comprises a writingimplcmcnt holder having a front plate provided with a holder yoke and aclip portion contiguous with and cooperably associated with the frontplate, whereby the implement may be attached to a book. The holder yokeis advantageously tapered for proper clip reception and retention. Thewriting implement holder includes resilient means having separatedresilient portions which cooperate with respective ones of writingimplements inserted in the holder so as to frictionally retain the samein place in stored position. Independent operation of the individualresilient portions preclude insertion of additional implements fromaffecting retention of implements previously stored in the holder.Individual portions of the resilient means may comprise fingers,resilient pad portions, or equivalent means.

Patented Aug. 10, 1971 INVENTOR.

LARRIE D. WHITE ATTORNEY WRITING IMPLEMENT HOLDER The present inventionrelates to writing implement holders for attachment to books and likedevices and, more particularly, to a new and improved writing implementholder wherein the insertion of additional writing implements such aspens and pencils will not disturb retention if implements previouslyinserted in the holder for storage.

In the past, a number of different types of writing implement holdershave been designed for attachment to writing boards, tablets, books andso forth. Various types of means such as rubber bands have been used toprovide some frictional retention of pens and pencils in their storedposition within the selected holder. These have operated somewhatdefficiently for users thereof. This is especially so wherein the userstores in his holder writing implements of measurably differentcrosssectional diameters. For example, where is a single resilient meansof uniform surface is used, such as a rubber band,'then the insertion ofpens and pencils of large diameter, to be retained by the rubber band,may alter or even remove fric' tional retention of writing implements ofmuch smaller diameter. This is because the resilient means is urged bythe implements of larger diameter to a position out of contact withthose of smaller diameter. Correspondingly, if smaller diameterimplements are first stored, then the subsequent positioning ofimplements oflarger diameter will so space the resilient means from thepreviously stored implements that the same will tend to slip out ofcontact with the resilient means.

Further, prior devices have relied essentially upon writing implementshaving clips. The present device of the invention accommodates both pensand pencils, whether the same have or do not have the usual pocketclips.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide anew and improved writing implement holder.

A further object is to provide a writing implement holder which isdesigned to accommodate pens and pencils, whether the same have pocketclips or not.

An additional object is to provide a new and improved writing implementholder wherein the portion thereof accommodating the pocket clips ofwriting implements, where used, provides a cross section providing easyinsertion of the clip over the mounting portion of the holder and also acamming or tapered cross section, such as to preclude the inadvertentriding up and subsequent separation of the clip-implement with theholder.

A further object is to provide a writing implement holder havingadvantageously positioned resilient means, the latter being configuredsuch as to provide separated resilient por-.

tions designed to cooperatively engage in desired frictional retention,respective ones of a selected number of writing implements.

An additional object is to provide in a writing implement holder,suitable resilient means of segmented construction whereby successiveimplements of writing implements of varying diameter can beaccommodated.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The presentinvention both as to its organization and manner of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a view in reduced scale of the writing implement holder of thepresent invention in one form thereof, wherein the same has been clippedto the cover ofa book.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partially sectioned view taken alongthe line 2-2 of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation ofthe structure of FIG. 2.

FIG, 4 is a section view similar to FIG. 2, but with the holder facingin the opposite direction, and wherein the holder incor porates aresilient means spaced within the area defined by the holder yoke of theholder.

FIG. 4A is in enlarged detail and is taken along the arcuate line 4A-4Ain FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a top plan of the structure of FIG. 3 and is taken along theline 5-5 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, istaken along the line 6-6in FIG. 7, and illustrates an alternate form of resilient meansretaining pens and pencils within the area defined by the holder yoke ofthe writing implement holder.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the arcuate line6A6A in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the writing implement holder of FIG. 6,illustrating the individual resilient fingers of the constructionprovided to frictionally engage respective writing implements placedwithin the holder, for storage thereby.-

FIG. 8 is a section view similar to FIG. 6 and illustrates a furtherembodiment of the invention wherein a separate clip is provided withseparated fingers to releasable secure writing implements within theholder yoke portion of the writing implement holder.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 1, the writing implement holder of the present in vention isshown to be clipped over and thereby attached to an outside cover 11 ofbook 12. Holder I0 is shown as retaining pencil l3 and pen I4 inconvenient, stored, positions and available for immediate withdrawal.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate with particularity the construction of I holder 10.The same is shown to be comprised of a front plate 15 having integrallyformed clip portion 16 and holder yoke 17, integral therewith. It willof course be understood that in lieu of an integral mouldedconstruction, clip portion 16 and/or holder yoke 17 may be formed asindependent parts and thereafter attached by attachment, adhesive orother means, to front plate 15. At least clip portion 16 will beconstructed to be resilient so as to permit the same to be placed over amargin of a book cover as seen in FIGv 1, such that the writingimplement holder may be adequately releasably secured in place asindicated. Various grades of plastics such as polystyrene andpolyethylene may be used to form clip portion 16, and, preferably, theentire structure of holder 10.

Holder yoke 17 will likewise be formed ofa rigid plastic and includesfront portion 18 and opposite side portions 19. For convenientlyaccommodating the clips generally associated with pens and other typesof writing implements, holder yoke 17 may be provided with an upper,rounded, bullet-shaped cross section at leading edge 20. The latter isintegral with an elongate tapered portion 21 which tapers inwardlytoward the trailing or downward edge 22. Accordingly, pens having clipsas at 23 may be easily attached to the front portion of holder yoke I7,by the same conveniently slipping over the rounded upper edge 20 of theholder yoke, with the user thereafter advancing the pen P downwardly. Itis noted that the gradually tapered cross section at 21 tends to retainthe pen in stored position, and the inclinedplane feature of portion 21will prevent the pen and clip combination from riding up" portion 21 soas to inadvertently slip out of contact with front portion 18.

Of special importance is the inclusion of resilient means 23. See FIG.3. In this regard, the same preferably comprises an elongate bar ofresilient material such as polyethylene foam, such resilient meanspreferably having mutually spaced slits 24. Such slits define respectiveresilient portions 25 which are independently compressible upon theinsertion of pen or pencil means, as the case may be. In a preferredform of the invention, each of the resilient portions 25 include outersurface layer 26 that can comprise a fabric oil cloth material, or otherplastic. presenting, preferably, a relatively slick outside surface.Where the resilient means 23 is made ofa foam or even a sponge rubbermaterial, there may exist an undesired increase in frictional propertiesas between the resilient means 23 and the pens and pencils to be engagedthereby. In such event, it is desirous that a relatively smooth surfacebe present to engage the pens and pencils properly. Such surface layers26 may be conveniently cemented or otherwise caused to adhere to theouter surfaces of the individual resilient portions 25.

The resilient means of course may be completely slittcd through, so thatthe same comprises individual, separated resilient portions. In thepreferred form of the invention and for manufacturing purposes, however,it is desired that resilient means simply comprising an elongate bar ofresilient material such as foam, polyethylene or polyurethane, with thesame being slit at areas 24 to provide forward separated portions 25 ofsuch resilient means. It is most important to note, see FIG. 5, thatsuch portions are independently compressible and that the compression inone will not alter the configuration of another. In this way, one mayinstall larger pens and pencils in remaining vacant areas of the holderof the present invention, without chancing a release of the pens andpencils already inserted and retained by the holder and which may be ofsmaller diameter. Such would not be the case or advantage were a singleresilient means presenting a single surface area employed in the clipconstruction.

FIG. 4 illustrates that resilient means 23 may be located at 23',completely within the holder yoke. In such event, the

resilient force is directed outwardly as shown by the arrow A, V

such force being available to frictionally retain pens and pencils inposition. FIG. 4A illustrates that the resilient means at 23A maypresent an outer incline surface 26 so pens and pencils may beconveniently inserted in the holder and in such a manner thatperforation and other deformation of the resilient means by the writingimplement is not chanced to occur.

In the FIG. 6 holder embodiment A, the resilient means 23A takes theform of a plurality of resilient fingers 27. These may be mouldeddirectly into the structure of front plate of FIG. 2, as desired. It isthus apparent, relative to FIGS. 6 and 7, that insertion of writingimplements, such as pens and pencils, through holder 10A would result ina frictional retention of the same as produced by the independentresilient fingers 27 Special note is to be made that individual writingimplements are and can be secured and can remain secured within theholder yoke of a holder of FIG. 6 and 7, even while other implements,conceivably of large diameter, are being inserted at other positions.Whatever form the resilient meanstakes, the central axes of individualsegments or portions thereof should be spaced apart a distance roughlyequivalent to the outside diameter of the largest writing implementcontemplated to be accommodated by the holder.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper or leading edge ofthe holder, indicating the rounded configuration thereof, to accommodateeasy insertion of pen clips thereover. This portion again will besimilar to edge in FIG. 4 and is so numbered in FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another form of the invention wherein the basicholder 10 of the pcsent invention, instead of incorporating theresilient means 23 in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, this timeincludes a clip 28 having a front, doubled-back portion 29 and a seriesof resilient finger segments 30, the finger segments 30 being designedfor individual retention of writing implements disposed within the cliparea as seen in FIG. 8. Of course, the fingers 30 in FIG. 8 may beintegral portions or front portion 18 of the holder yoke '17 of FIG. 2where desired. This is to say, the fingers as shown in FIG. 7, forexample, may extend inwardly either from the front plate 15 of theholder as seen in FIG. 2, or from the front portion of the holder yoke17 rearwardly.

Whatever form of the present invention is used, it is apparent from theabove description that the individual resilient means provide for aresilient frictional retention of writing implements, accommodated bythe holder. Most important, writing implements are individually retainedby the respective resilient portions of the resilient means of whateverform. In this way, insertion of larger diameter implementsat other andadjacent areas within a particular holder, for example, will not deteror interfere with the frictional, resilient retention of writingimplements previously inserted in the holder n operation, all of theembodiments of the invention per form in substantially the same manner.Writing implements are inserted in the holder in the manner shown inFIG. I, and the resilient means used, of whatever form and whereverplaced, is operable such that individual segments or portions thereofcoact with and thereby engage individual ones of the writing implementsso as to frictionally retain the same in the desired position. It isnoted that substantially all writing implements will be accommodated,whether or not the same include individual clips.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may he made without departing from thisinvention in its broader aspects.

I claim:

I. A writing implement holder including, in combination a front plate,clip means connected to and disposed rearwardly of said front plate, anda holder yoke connected to and extending forwardly of said front plateand defining a writing implement receiving area therewithin, saidwriting implement holder including resilient bar means having slitsforming plural, separately compressible portions thereof constructed topressure-retain within said receiving area respective writing implementsindividually engaging ones ofsaid portions.

2. The writing implement holder of claim I wherein said separatelycompressible portions of said resilient bar means each includes afriction-lessening surface layer constructed and positioned forengagement with a respective one of said writing implements.

3. A writing implement holder including, in combination, a front plate,clip means connected to. and disposed rearwardly of said front plate,and a holder yoke connected to and'extending forwardly of said frontplate and defining a writing implement receiving area therewithin, saidwriting implement holder including resilient means comprising plural,separately compressible portions constructed to pressure-retain withinsaid receiving area respective writing implements individually engagingrespective ones of said portions, ans wherein said resilient meanscomprises a resilient bar member, said bar member being provided withmutually spaced slits oriented in a direction nominally that of intendedplacement of said writing implements when disposed for storage purposesthrough said receiving area of said holder yoke, said slits definingtherebetween said plural, separately compressible portions.

4. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said resilient bar member isdisposed transversely upon said front plate within said receiving areaas defined by said holder yoke as aforesaid.

5. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said resilient bar member isaffixed to said front plate in a transverse orientation and is disposedabove said holder yoke.

6. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said separately compressibleportions of said resilient means each includes a friction-lesseningsurface layer constructed and positioned for engagement with arespective one of said writing implements.

7. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said resilient means comprisea separate member secured to said holder yoke and having a plurality ofinwardly extending, separate resilient fingers protruding within saidreceiving area as defined by said holder yoke as aforesaid.

1. A writing implement holder including, in combination, a front plate,clip means connected to and disposed rearwardly of said front plate, anda holder yoke connected to and extending forwardly of said front plateand defining a writing implement receiving area therewithin, saidwriting implement holder including resilient bar means having slitsforming plural, separately compressible portions thereof constructed topressureretain within said receiving area respective writing implementsindividually engaging ones of said portions.
 2. The writing implementholder of claim 1 wherein said separately compressible portions of saidresilient bar means each includes a friction-lessening surface layerconstructed and positioned for engagement with a respective one of saidwriting implements.
 3. A writing implement holder including, incombination, a front plate, clip means connected to and disposedrearwardly of said front plate, and a holder yoke connected to andextending forwardly of said front plate and defining a writing implementreceiving area therewithin, said writing implement holder includingresilient means comprising plural, Separately compressible portionsconstructed to pressure-retain within said receiving area respectivewriting implements individually engaging respective ones of saidportions, and wherein said resilient means comprises a resilient barmember, said bar member being provided with mutually spaced slitsoriented in a direction nominally that of intended placement of saidwriting implements when disposed for storage purposes through saidreceiving area of said holder yoke, said slits defining therebetweensaid plural, separately compressible portions.
 4. Structure according toclaim 3 wherein said resilient bar member is disposed transversely uponsaid front plate within said receiving area as defined by said holderyoke as aforesaid.
 5. Structure according to claim 3 wherein saidresilient bar member is affixed to said front plate in a transverseorientation and is disposed above said holder yoke.
 6. Structureaccording to claim 3 wherein said separately compressible portions ofsaid resilient means each includes a friction-lessening surface layerconstructed and positioned for engagement with a respective one of saidwriting implements.
 7. Structure according to claim 3 wherein saidresilient means comprise a separate member secured to said holder yokeand having a plurality of inwardly extending, separate resilient fingersprotruding within said receiving area as defined by said holder yoke asaforesaid.